Bekah at 5

Today Bekah turned five. It's always hard to believe when my kids have a birthday that another year has flown. And so, as I laid next to her last night watching her sleep for the last time as a four year old, I reminisced over the last five years with this little girl. Bekah had a rough start at life. First, she wouldn't eat well, then slept in a suitcase because she was jaundiced. But, at 12 days old, as I was burping her, she stopped breathing. She had had a cold, but what we learned later was that she had RSV. The drive to the hospital felt long and horrible as I wondered what I would do if I lost this little girl.
The next four days, I saw God work in my life like never before. My mom asked me how I was able to hold myself together and I can honestly say that God's peace filled me with more than I could ever imagine. Later, Bekah's pediatrician asked me if I was a Christian, and I told him yes. He said he could tell because of the peace I had. So, as I watched her last night, I remembered that scary time, but wow, it was awesome to see God work in that situation.
And now she is five! And she is full of life and smiles and laughter, and love. And the last five years have been great with her. I told her today that she could do what she wanted because it was her day. She said she wanted to play with just me. So, at nap time, we played with princesses, tried on new clothes for the spring and painted our nails. What a great priviledge it is that, of all the things she could pick to do with her day, she chose me. And so, I think I became her birthday present....but really, it was a present for me.

* Post A Comment!
Comments
Mar. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TOSPUBLISHER
Happy Birthday to Bekah! She is a little miracle. www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com
* Permanent Link
Mar. 8, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
Beautiful, beautiful post! You made me all weepy at 7 a.m.!
* Permanent Link
Mar. 9, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by fyftn
That was a very scary few days when she stopped breathing. I still vividly remember the noise she let out that alerted us she couldn't breathe. I remember flagging down the police officer to clear the way to the hospital. I remember the IV in her head and the sounds and smells of the ICU. She was a strong-willed little fighter then and she is a strong-willed beautiful little girl now. She is, and always will be, Daddy's favorite brown haired little girl.
* Permanent Link
Mar. 9, 2007 - I still have...
Posted by fyftn
... the little tuft of hair they cut when they were putting the IV in her head. It is wrapped in a piece of medical tape. I carried that in my wallet until she was almost 4 years old. I took it out after I destroyed my wallet in the ocean January 2006 and it is now safely tucked away in my nightstand

Beautiful sounds...

I had the rare chance yesterday of having the afternoon alone with Bekah, my middle child. Caleb and Mike were out , and Elisa was still asleep. I had promised to make cupcakes with B to take to preschool today to celebrate her birthday, which is tomorrow. We had such a great time. She was so happy to have this time alone..."I love it when it is just us, Mommy"
Before I could get icing on them Elisa woke up. B says "good morning E" And E grunts...oh boy, this will be fun. I told B she could put sprinkles on them and was waiting for E to throw a tantrum....but to my surprise, my almost 5 year old says, "E, would you like to help me put sprinkles on these" Immediately the grunting stopped and turned into a "Yea, Sure" What a lovely sound in my home. My girls, in harmony making cupcakes with me! E kept pouring the top of the sprinkles right on top of the icing, therefore, taking half the icing off, so I show her how to hold it higher and shake it and she looks at me and says "Fank you so much Mommy for teaching me" Too precious..this will hopefully get me past my next gasoline moment.

Mar. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by TheMonkeyParade
Absolutely adoreable. Those are certainly the moments to hold onto.
* Permanent Link
Mar. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ApplesofGold
Hi there! I've enjoyed reading your recent posts! What a beautiful family you have. That really is beautiful sounds when the kids are being kind to each other And that sounds totally ridiculous about the "illegal" wheels. I can't believe it! Holly

Cub Scout Controversy

Caleb's first Pinewood Derby with his cub scout pack was last week. He and Mike were excited about making the car together, so with door closed , they sanded, hammered, and painted in Caleb's room. They emerged with a fun little race car; green, with flames on the hood, the number 14 in silver on the top, and a silver bumper. It was a good looking car. I had nothing to do with it, it was all theirs. And I didn't know it could be such a "controversy" as we are calling it, at the Derby.
Caleb's car was fast. I would pump my fists with him race after race that he won. We were having a great time. He ended up in second place! So, as we were celebrating , I was called over by a friend of mine, who's tone of voice got me a little worried. She says to me " Caleb's wheels are illegal." OK, I think what does that mean...? She goes on to tell me that because we used illegal wheels , he can't go on to districts, but that they will let his second place finish stand within the pack. I was a bit stunned by this. rules are rules I understand, but I had no clue as to anything illegal or not on the car, so I told her to go talk to Mike.
So I come to find out that, that afternoon, Mike was hammering the wheels on, and one broke, so he went to Hobby Lobby and bought a new set, same size, they just had.....holes on the side and didn't say Boy Scouts. I felt bad for him because enough people found out that he felt like he had done this horrible wrong and was going to be labeled a cheater. He just wanted Caleb's car to race. So now, here we are, surrounded by this "controversy"!
Caleb didn't know what happened, he doestn' care that he isn't going to districts. And we couldn't go that day anyway...But, he had so much fun, and watching his excitement with each win was priceless. So now, the beloved cheater car sits on his desk, when he is not playing with, and he plays with it often...illegal wheels and all.
* Post A Comment!
Comments
Mar. 6, 2007 - Tone, huh...
Posted by TheMonkeyParade
I thought you all were gonna fix the wheels and let him race. What happened?
* Permanent Link
Mar. 6, 2007 - Way to go Caleb!!
Posted by arajbrown
I'm so sorry about the 'cheater' thing ... is it Mike you're worried about being labeled or Caleb ;) It is funny that in a pinewood derby "pinewood derby" wheels wouldn't be sufficient. So, in keeping with the current debate at the co-op ... Mike would be most likely to be a fined and suspended NASCAR crew chief!! But the bright side is ... you get to be the cute blonde wife on the wall! at Daytona!
* Permanent Link
Mar. 6, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by SmallWorld
I don't think we've EVER gone through a Pinewood derby without SOME kind of trauma! It's amazing how that competitive nature comes out at these things. Jesse would get sooo upset because of some kid's unsportmans-like behavior...which in turn, of course, made HIM unsportmans-like....phew! And to think I get to do it all over again for 5 more years! ;-)
* Permanent Link
Mar. 7, 2007 - They are both winners in MY book!
Posted by QueenoftheHill
I think it is fabulous that Mike and Caleb built that beautiful car together. I'm sure that that is the REAL goal of the whole Pinewood Derby project, right? Those are memories that will last forever.
* Permanent Link
Mar. 8, 2007 - I'm Just Glad ...
Posted by Dad2Three
I'm just glad Mike decided to take the battery-operated engine out of the little secret compartment beneath the decals ... I told him that was a BAD idea. You know those Ford guys, always trying to figure out a way to whoop the Mopars.
* Permanent Link
Mar. 9, 2007 - The worst thing...
Posted by fyftn
... was that the National Scout Leader overseeing all pinewood derbys for North America called the next day. He told me that I had to appear at a BSA pinewood derby review council. They proceeded to ask questions for 3 hours then suspended my driver's license until after Caleb is done with Webelos. Oh well...
* Permanent Link
Mar. 12, 2007 - Pinewood
Posted by Anonymous
I am just glad that my son gets his rightful place at the district race. Year's of trying to "fix" these races hasn't paid off but a little trip to Hobby Lobby worked. WHY oh why didn't I think of this earlier??? We owe a big thanks to Mike! He's not a cheater in my book but a hero...the life size photo of him being chastied by the race official is framed in my room.

Yesterday...

And so I have to say that yesterday, was lovely for me. And I am partially embarrassed to admit it was because I didn't have my kids all morning. Sometimes friends can tell when you are hanging on by a thread. And that is exactly where I was on Monday. A wonderful friend asked what she could do to help me. I initially thought "Please pray for me", but that didn't come out, because what I was thinking was, "Please take them." And she did. So I had three hours alone in my house yesterday. I listened to a cd, talked to many friends without being interrupted by my kids (just theirs:) ) and found that, indeed, I have a floor in my bedroom. I knew it was there. It had just been awhile since I had seen it.
Just three hours, and I felt like a new woman. I was excited to see them when they came back, and a bit less uptight. Anyway, I am thankful for friends like Amy who saw in my eyes just a need for help, offered and followed through. What a gift.
* Post A Comment!
Comments
Mar. 2, 2007 - Vacation
Posted by heartworkingmom
Wow, 3 hours! I've been needing one of those for a while. Good for you :). Ever hear/read the homeschool cartoon that says: You know you're a homeschool mom when 2 minutes to yourself is called a vacation? LOL. Thank God for friends. I didn't get 3 hours to myself, but last night I visited with 2 friends at one of our friend's house (the goal was to pray together, which we eventually did) as our husbands were on business trips. It was LOUD with 7 kids 7 and under having a blast, but refreshing! God bless.
* Permanent Link

Mar. 2, 2007 - Any 'ole time pal!!!
Posted by arajbrown
We had such a great time having little ones around! Even hanging from the staircase! hugs to you!
* Permanent Link
Mar. 2, 2007 - Any ol' time???
Posted by fyftn
Be careful what you offer... Let me run and get my calendar. We need you to take them Monday from 1-9pm, Tuesday from 5-9 pm, we'll keep them Wednesday and you can have them Thursday and Friday... :) Thanks for giving her a break. Mike

Just Want to Read

Yesterday afternoon, I thought how I really just wanted one day to sit down and enjoy a book. It has been awhile since I have, and thought I deserved this. And I wanted to have the book read for my book club this month..My children don't see things my way on this one. I started reading Crow Lake during nap time, when no one needs me, and I have two hours of peace. Elisa knew what I was up to...she came out 300 times, screamed when I put her back in her room, and Bekah learned to tap dance during nap, I think (her room is right above mine) So,as I tried to have my peace, which wasn't much, I thought, well after nap they can play and I shall continue to read....selfish, I know, but by golly, I wanted to read this book.
Elisa never really took a nap, so when she came down, she was grumpy as they come. "Hold me Mommy...." She then ran into my bathroom ( the furthest one from her) proclaiming she had to pee, then ran out to ask me to pull down her underwear. (she never does this) It was about 15 minutes later, I went to go to the bathroom and there was pee all over the floor. She is now sitting in my living room, and I say "Elisa, did you pee on my floor?" She said "yes, I didn't make it to the potty" Lovely, so now there is pee on my carpet and my bathroom...
As I am about to go a bit crazy with "Mommy can you do this, Mommy watch that..." I decide to call Mike and vent. " All I really would like is to read!!!" He says, "send them outside" Duh, what a great idea...I forgot that was an option, after all this time inside. They go outside until Elisa scrapes her knee and decides that is no longer fun. I decide to give her attention and loving, and lo and behold...C and B decide time to come in. At this point I have to say that I have a cold and can't taste or smell anything...but I could really smell gasoline when they walked in the door. So I ask, "C were you playing in gas" He was a bit surprised that I could have know this...."well, I was holding the can..." "And pouring it out," Bekah chimed in. Sigh...so much for them being outside...now a whole new can of worms. I will have to blog later about the conversation that took place between C and I later....
After they both took their showers and ate, I sent them all to bed..It was 7:30. That has never happened in this house. Mike was going to the UT game, and I was out of, well, gas :) So, I took a deep breath, opened my book, and enjoyed it until midnight, when I finished the last page. It may be awhile before I sit down to read a book again...
* Post A Comment!
Comments
Feb. 22, 2007 - Did you call Poison Control?
Posted by QueenoftheHill
We called Poison Control a lot when Tristan was a little guy. He should have worked as a tester in the place they engineer childproofing devices. When he drank gasoline, they said he'd be okay as long as he didn't aspirate it into his lungs. "BUT," they said, "don't light any matches around

Do to Others

Do to others...
Last night as I was cooking dinner, I heard the kids, once again fighting...Bekah comes in and says "Caleb called me a name" He immediately runs in and says " She called me a name first, you know Do to others as you would have them do to you..."
Oh boy. "Caleb," I say, "This is not what the bible means..." So I go on to explain and soon hear fighting again..."You guys," I say, " Stop calling each other names. Just because one of you says ugly face ( which I made up) doesn't mean the other one can call you booger butt (which I also made up)" I immediately regretted what I said because my kids aren't supposed to say "butt" But, at the same time I stood there in my kitchen and laughed, not believing what I just said. Booger butt? Where did that come from. No one else knew this cracked me up so much, but after a week of constant fighting, this was a good release. Since I don't like to cook, this also got me through dinner!
Later last night, Mike did something to aggravate me so I called him a booger butt...we both got a good laugh out of that!
* Post A Comment!
Comments
Feb. 19, 2007 - I have an idea ...
Posted by arajbrown
I think I'm going to make stickers and when someone annoys me at Monday Fun ... they get a 'booger butt' sticker ... I promise you will get all the credit for this. On a different note ... I am a visual person ... highly visual ... so this creates for me a vivid picture ... not pretty Donna, not pretty at all.
* Permanent Link
Feb. 19, 2007 - Ha!
Posted by SmallWorld
I LOVE it!! Booger butt is really an excellent term. I shall use it frequently, especially when I'm feeling detroviated.
* Permanent Link
Mar. 7, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ApplesofGold
LOL-that is funny!! Enjoyed reading your blog. Holly

Little Joe

Caleb has this precious stuffed bunny named "LIttle Joe" This wasn't always his name. When Marj, my mother in law , gave this bunny to Caleb at one month old, I named him "Bunny" because that was the name of my rabbit before I had Caleb. This was a beautiful stuffed animal,and I kept him on Caleb's dresser. I was sure that Caleb would fall in love with the Pooh Bear I got him, because that is what I slept with as a little girl. ( OK, he stills sleeps under my chin at night and went to the hospital with me each time I had a child) But, when he was old enough to have a stuffed animal in his bed, he went for LIttle Joe. It was this instant love between them. That was about six years ago.

I love watching Caleb with Little Joe. Even at almost seven, he talks to Little Joe and takes him everywhere. When Caleb was two, he renamed Little Joe "Rabbit" and couldn't decided if he were a boy of a girl. He wanted him to be a boy, but, he had a pink bow. In the end, he kept him a boy and at four, he saw the Veggie Tale show "The Ballad of Little Joe" and the name has stuck. Little Joe is Caleb's "son" as he calls him, and Caleb reminds me there aren't five in our family, but six. He has been known to be in a few of our family pictures. If we travel on an airplane, I have made a little tag for Little Joe, in case he gets lost. The thing is, not only would Caleb's heart be broken, but so would mine. I have also come to love Little Joe.
The other day, Caleb asked my mom to make a blanket for Little Joe because so much of his fur has been loved off, and he gets cold. Last night, my mom gave him the blanket, with airplanes on it,and stars, and just right for Little Joe. As I went to check on Caleb last night, Little Joe was tucked in his blanket, and snuggled next to Caleb, who takes such great care of his little son.

Feb. 3, 2007 - SOOOOO precious!
Posted by QueenoftheHill
MS has a lion that he loves, named Jerry. Grandma has crocheted Jerry a veritable wardrobe full of tiny blankets, at MS's request. He sleeps in a special shoe box with an assortment of friends who enjoy the special privilege of never being put away at clean-up time (because they are Jerry's friends, they obviously must stay with him). Is there anything sweeter than little boys and their special friends